Tutorials

Monday, January 25, 2010

Tutorial 7--Macrame Bracelet

So far, all the knots I have been using in the knotting tutorials have been square knots, or overhand knots. This tutorial introduces the Double Half Hitch. This knot is also sometimes called the Forwards Knot, as well as the Backwards Knot (two different versions of the Double Half Hitch).

TutorialDouble Half Hitch Macrame Bracelet

Difficulty Level
Very easy

Time Taken
10 minutes

Materials
2 colors of Yarn, 70 inches (178 cm) each (string, hemp or embroidery floss work as well)
Large Bead, with a hold large enough for 4 pieces of yarn to go through
Scissors

Instructions
1) Measure 15 inches (38 cm) from the end of each piece of yarn, and fold. Tie an overhand knot near the fold (depending on the size of the bead), so that the bead can just go through the loop created.

2) Separate the cords so that the two short ends are in the center. These will be the holding cords. Separate the longer ends so that one is on the left and the other is on the right. I have bundled up the longer cords so they will be easier to work with.

3) Put the right (pink) cord over the holding cords.

4) Turn the end of the pink cord under the holding cords, and up through the space created in Step 3.

5) Tighten. Repeat Steps 3 and 4.

6) Tighten. You have completed a double half hitch.

7) We will now do a mirror image of Steps 3 through 6, this time using the left (green) cord as the working cord. Put the left (green) cord over the holding cords.

8) Turn the end of the green cord under the holding cords, and up through the space created in Step 7.

9) Repeat Steps 7 and 8.

10) Tighten. Steps 7 through 9 form another Double Half Hitch.

11) Repeat steps 3 through 10 until you have a length of double half hitches of desired length for your bracelet. I made mine 7 inches long.

12) Tie an overhand knot close to the last Double Half Hitch

13) Thread all 4 ends through the bead. Push the bead close to the overhand knot from Step 12. Tie another overhand knot close to the bead. The bead and loop work together as a clasp.